Islands in the Bay

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8616, 13 June 1924, Page 10 (Supplement)

Islands in the Bay

Matakana Island, the largest island in the- Bay of Plenty, contains many thousands of acres. It lies between Mount! Maunganni and Katikati Heads, and includes an extensive area of fertile' land. A large portion of Ike island is owned by natives, who grow maize extensively and are harvesting some splendid crops this year. They also' produce large quantities of kumeras. Some have also embarked in the dairying industry and arc now milking a fair number cf cows. Their aim is to increase the herds. The cream is sent to. the Katikati butter factory. The natives at Matakana are an industrious commun'd}' and those who are not engaged in fanning pursuits have been employed by the Public Works Department on the railway construction works. The Tauranga Harbour Board recently acquired several hundred acres ati tlie extreme western end cf Matakana- Island. Tire Board has already planted a portion of the- land in trees and intend continuing this policy, which is a wise one, as water transport will permit cf the removal of the timber, when ready for cultiirg, at a cheap rate. A company, with cut side capital, has also- been formed for the purpose of developing a large area a, Matakana by means of planting timber trees and fruitgrowing. The island is almost free

of frost and is regarded as an excel lent place for the growing' of citrus fruit, although no groves are- yet established there. There is a school on the island, which is well attended by the native school children. Tire Pacific ocean laps the northern shores of the island, about fifteen, miles long. Oil the southern side is a wide expanse of sea, separating Matakana, from the mainland cf the Tauranga, To Puna and Katikall districts. This inner sea. if it may be termed such, lias two outlets to the ocean ono at Mount Jlaunganui and the other at Bo went own. T.his great inner area of the sea

TAPP A XG A SCHOOLS constitutes what is known as the western harbour. Transport between Matakana and Tanranga is by launch, of which several are owned by tlic Maoris. There is a good ford at Matahui Point and live stock taken from and to' (lie island are travelled by this route. So far as production is concerned Matakana. Island Iras, literally speaking, only been scratched. Under a good system of finance' and by following sound agricultural methods the European and Maori owners on the island will be able, to make it one of (he most productive places in tiu’i Pay of Plenty. An addi-

tionai attraction which Matakana possesses is the close' proximity of prolific fishing grounds. • MOTITI ISLAND. Mr.liti Island, is a very fertile area, located off the mainland between Mount Maunganui and M'akelu. line Mr W. H. Paterson las a large estate, while the remainder of the island is owned by natives. These Maoris, like those of Matakana Island, are very industrious and for several decades have grown annually great crops of maize, of splendid quality, and this is exported to Auckland. Mr Paterson concentrates on the fattening of cattle

and raising of horses. Many fine Clydesdales and several notable racing performers have bc.en bred on his estate. The pastures of Motiti are famed for the prime quality of the fat cattle' which thev produce and every year Mr Paterson disposes cf some hundreds of fat beasts, which are mostly purchased as stores from the graziers on the mainland. Special scows are used for the transport cf horses and cattle from and to the island, and the vessels and navigators do their work so thoroughly that it is a very rare thing to 1 hear of the loss of a beast. Excellent deep sea fishing is obtainable off Motiti Island, and some of the famous hapukn and kingfish grounds are situated in its neighbourhood. WHITE ISLAND White Island, famous for its volcanic activity, stands in the Bav cf Plenty, about sixty or seventy miles from Tauranga. Many years ago sulphur was brought from this island and treated at works in Talira uga, where tire product was exported to other parts. There are large sulphur and guano deposits oil the island and the working of these

is now receiving attention by Major Kent-Johnstone. the representative cf a company in London which is incres.ted in the project. MAYOR AND OTHER ISLANDS The splendid fishing sport attainable elf Mayer Island is dealt with elsewhere. This island is owned by a number of natives, who however, do not reside there. Fine groves of pohumkawas. which luck magnificent in their rich crimson blcsom at Christmas are to be found on the island. The largest known specimen of the pohutukawa is growing on the island. Birds of all kinds arc. numerous and the island has been proclaimed a sanctuary by the Government. There are numerous small islands clotted throughout the Bay cf Plenty and ou a clear flay these add to the beauty of the view from the sum - miti of Mt. Mauuganui. The islands within observation from the summit of Mount Maimganni. The islands within comfortable reach of Tauranga are certainly great assets, and those such as Motiti and Mayor Islands, make admirable bases from which deep sea fishing parlies may work with every degree of comfort.